Business culture in India

1. Business Culture in India

2. Plan:

1. Republic of India
2. Business Culture
A) Greeting
B) Gift Giving
C) Business Dress
D) Business etiquette
E) Business Meetings
3. Conclusion

3. Republic of India

Democratic Republic.
South Asian country, Ford’s Global site.
Area: 1.3 sq. millions miles ( 7th largest country).
Capital : New Delhi

4. Demographic

• Population : 1.2 billions, 2nd most
populous country.
• Languages: 17 official languages
– Hindi is the most spoken
language and primary tongue of
41% of Indian population. –
English is the most important
languages for educational,
national, political and commercial
communication.
• Main cities : Mumbai, Delhi,
Bangalore, Kolkata.

5. Religion

6. Business Culture

7. Greeting

• When doing business in India, meeting etiquette
require handshake. However, Indians themselves use
the “namaste”
• Shaking hands with women depend on themselves.

8. Gift Giving

• Yellow, green and red are lucky colours for
wrapping a present
• Money for birth, death and marriage
• Gifts not open immediately before the giver
• Do NOT take large or expensive gift as this
may cause embarrassment. Should giving
both hands
• Avoid gift presents that make of leather.
• Box of Sweets • Chocolates • Bouquet of
Flowers • Household Items • Liquor, but . . .

9. Business Dress

• Normal business dress for men is suits and ties. However, because
of warm climate a full-sleeved shirt and a tie is also acceptable.
• For foreign women, pantsuits of long skirts that cover the knees
are most acceptable. The neckline of the blouse or the top should
be high.
• Do NOT use leather products including belts, handbag….

10. Business etiquette

• Status determined by age, university degree or profession.
• Do wait for a female business colleague to initiate a greeting
whether it is verbal or physical.
• Do remain polite and honest at all times in order to prove
that your objectives are sincere
• Do NOT be aggressive in your business negotiation – it can
be interpreted as a sign of disrespect
• Do NOT refuse any food or drink offered to you during
business meetings as this may cause offence.
• Keep in mind that traditionally, and religiously, majority of
Indians are vegetarians and do not drink alcohol or smoke.

11.

12. Business Meetings

Meetings should be arrange in advance.
Avoid meeting near or on the national holidays
Punctuality is expected.
Be prepare to spend time getting to know each other before
talking business.
• Avoid talking about personal matter or sensitive topic (
politician, poverty….of Indian)
• When enter the meeting room, greet the senior staff first.
• In meetings subordinates would usually not question,
contradict or interrupt a senior colleague, and in an office
environment may even stand when the boss enters the room.

13.

• Maintain harmony, avoid conflict con confrontation during
discussions. Be patient.
• Show your own qualifications, business successes and abilities,
and stress that you too value partners who are honorable and
trustworthy.
• Mask any feelings of frustration with a smile.
• Negotiations tend to be sensitive to honor, ”saving face”,
dignity and self respect.
• It is important not to allow your host to “ lose face”( avoid, ex.
contradicting your host in public)

14.

• The most senior person will make the decision.
• Use the phrase “ we’ll try” or “ let’s me see” instead of
the words “no”; since it can be seen as rude.

15. Building

• Doing business in India involves building relationships
and establishing trust. It is vital that a good
relationship is founded on two foundations.
• 1) on a business level, i.e. demonstrating strong
business acumen, professionalism and qualifications
• 2) at a personal level, i.e. relating to your partner and
exhibiting the positive traits of trustworthiness and
honour.

16. Conclusion